H.S. FOOTBALL: Scranton's line paving the way for McCarthy

On most Friday nights, Jake McCarthy can be found darting through defenses, bringing fans to their feet with his speed and graceful gait.

He is the name and face of Scranton football.

But with every yard he gains and goal line he crosses, the junior, who is assaulting the school record book, is quick to give the credit to the guys doing the work up front and creating the lanes to run through.

Scranton has five new starters along the line of scrimmage and at fullback this season, but the McCarthy express hasn't slowed in the first two weeks.

Seniors Jeff Nunez, Fabian Coleman, Kyle Grabowski, Anthony Saul, fullback Jared Little, and junior Brett Engleman have put the time in during the offseason. Their ability to mature and work together has helped the Knights to a 2-0 start as they head into an important game tonight against Wyoming Valley West at Scranton Memorial Stadium.

"These guys are very good," McCarthy said. "The talk around the area was that Scranton lost all its linemen and they weren't going to do well. I don't believe that. These guys work so hard every day. They are all smart and I trust them. My linemen and my fullback come here and live in the weight room.

"And they never take a play off at practice or in a game."

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In 2012, Scranton boasted one of the most exciting and explosive offenses in the Lackawanna Football conference.

Playing one of the leading roles in the feature attack, McCarthy earned All-Region honors after prancing his way to 1,737 yards with 25 rushing touchdowns. And he did so behind a veteran offensive line where all of the starters would graduate.

To duplicate that effort, Scranton would need its inexperienced group to first, hit the weights. Second, learn the schemes and third, be physical at the point of attack.

It all began in the offseason. Nunez seized the leadership role and the group hit the weight room.

But they also worked on their agilities and footwork which is so important in Scranton's spread offense.

Then they hit the play book.

Because they are all committed in the classroom, the Knights new starters worked equally hard at learning and perfecting their recognition of fronts and applying the techniques.

"I think it is important for us to have good character on and off the field," Nunez said. "We have to have that discipline and it starts in school. When you are disciplined in the classroom you will be on the football field."

During a practice, they are always asking questions, fine-tuning each play.

And their coach doesn't mind at all.

"It was slow at first, because they didn't know the calls," Scranton line coach Jamie Higgins said. "The more we practice against the different fronts they are getting it. They are smart kids who pick things up pretty quick and I think they are going to get better with more game experience."

When the ball snapped in Week 1 it was time for the tenacity.

Despite taking on the challenge of playing in front of a big crowd away from home at Hazleton Area, the new-look front came out and executed with toughness.

In every aspect of being a lineman, these Knights have responded.

"We may be inexperienced, but we are coming together," Nunez said. "We have been getting a push when we need one. The most important thing is to have that physicality and be strong mentally."

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Scranton's linemen understand and appreciate the value of teamwork.

Off the field they have also decided to impact their community. They are all eager to volunteer, especially Coleman who devoted time to the St. Joseph's picnic and is willing to contribute wherever he can.

It's that kind of selflessness that all of the linemen have as a part of their character.

And it's what makes them such a productive group.

"I think that is so important as a football player to be loyal to your community," Coleman said. "The community is behind us and pushing us to get those wins, so we can help out there.

"I think that brings us together and builds a strong bond."

Scranton has run for 532 yards and is ranked second in the LFC in total offense, averaging 421.5 yards per game.

It's early, but that is almost 17 yards more a game from a season ago.

"We aren't the biggest kids on the lines we see," Higgins said. "We have been able to make some in-game adjustments. Being smart really helps these kids and they are very athletic across the board."

And McCarthy is off to a record pace. He has run for 448 yards to lead the LFC Division I.

"Playing running back since I was 10 years old, the one thing I learned is that it's all about the line," McCarthy said. "They are working their butts off on every single play. The stats I get are not about me.

"I am nothing without them."

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Tonight will be the team's most difficult test.

Wyoming Valley West is considered the favorite in District 2 Class AAAA and has one of the most physical defensive fronts in the conference.

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